EP3651615B1

EP3651615B1 - Adjustable end mascara brush

Info

Publication number: EP3651615B1
Application number: EP18831186.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Yoon H. Kim; Asher T. Kim
Original assignee: Melo R&d LLC
Current assignee: Melo R&d LLC
Priority date: 2017-07-13
Filing date: 2018-04-03
Publication date: 2024-07-31
Anticipated expiration: 2038-04-03
Also published as: CN109788841B; EP3651615A4; EP3651615A1; KR102184731B1; JP2020503907A; CN109788841A; WO2019013845A1; BR112019016856A2; KR20190039827A; JP6833985B2

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cosmetic applicator as defined in claim 1. Preferred features of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mascara applicators are used to apply various colors of mascara liquids to eyelashes to enhance the eyes. The mascara applicator largely includes a handle and a brush, onto which mascara liquid is applied.
So as to apply the mascara liquid to the user's eyelashes, first, the brush is inserted into a mascara case into which the mascara liquid is contained and is coated with the mascara liquid, and next, the brush is rotated on the eyelashes to raise the eyelashes upwardly, so that the mascara liquid is applied fully to the eyelashes to make them curvedly erected.
However, the above-mentioned conventional mascara has the handle and the brush arranged in a straight line, which may not be comfortable with many users.
For example, the make-up is conducted in the state, where the eyelashes and the brush are arranged in a parallel with each other, and at this time, a user' arm should be raised to her shoulder's height to make the brush located in parallel with her eyelashes, which causes her make-up operation to be performed in an unstable posture, thereby resulting in bad make-up.
Furthermore, while document U.S. Patent No. 9,339,098 shows that the brush can pivot an angle of 90°, but the brush cannot be pivoted stably at a desired angle by the user and cannot be adjusted to any desired angles off a longitudinal axis of the cosmetic applicator in any direction around the axis (360°).
Moreover, while the conventional mascaras may be able to pivot at a desired angle by the user, the brush cannot be stably positioned so that the user can apply the mascara liquid efficiently. In addition, the mobility of the brush of the conventional mascaras is not excellent and needs to be improved so that the user can adjust the angle of the brush smoothly and easily. At the same time, the brush should be able to be stably positioned at a desired angle by the user while the user applies the mascara liquid and should be able to be released smoothly to the next desired angle/position.
In other words, there is an urgent need to improve the usability of the conventional mascaras, whose brushes can be adjusted by means of an articulation.
Document EP 2 789 259 A1 describes a mascara applicator that can be used for applying makeup on eyelashes of both eyes by using one's dominant hand, without the need of switching between the right and left hands for holding a brush in order to secure the visual field, and that allows its brush to be kept horizontally with ease, and moreover that provides excellent makeup finish. The mascara applicator includes an application stick that is attached to a cap sealing and covering an opening part of a mascara accommodation container and that can be accommodated in the mascara accommodation container, and an application body that is rotatably attached to a tip end of the application stick and that extends in a substantially axial direction of the application stick, in which one side surface on a side opposite to a rotating direction of the application body is orthogonal to a plane including a rotation path, and a ridge part that is formed by the one side surface and a side surface adjacent to the one side surface is used, while the application body is rotated and an axis of the application body is bent with respect to an axis of the application stick, so as to apply mascara.
Document US 2016/0128457 A1 is directed to a cosmetic implement including a movable applicator to manipulate an application surface to different angles for a more ergonomic application of cosmetics. The implement may comprise a handle coupled to an applicator via a swivel connector. When the movable ferrule is in a first position, the applicator may be used in a traditional manner. When the ferrule is placed in a second position, the applicator may be tilted at an angle, for a more efficient application of a product to certain areas of the face, neck, head, or body of a person.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the features of the invention. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view of a cosmetic applicator, which is adjustable by means of an articulation in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a view of an eye of a cosmetic applicator, which is adjustable by means of an articulation in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 3 is a view of a cosmetic applicator consisting of a grip, a holder shaft, an eye, a seal, a stopper, a ball stud, a shaft anchor, a neck, and a brush shaft in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
Figs. 4-6 are cross-sectional views of a cosmetic applicator, which is adjustable by means of an articulation in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention.
Fig. 7(a) is a cross-sectional view of a cosmetic applicator, which is adjustable by means of an articulation in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 7(a) shows the cosmetic applicator, which includes a buffer element, a holder, and a rod along with a spherical ball stud. Fig. 7(b) is an assembled view of Fig. 7(a).
Fig. 8(a) is a cross-sectional view of a cosmetic applicator, which is adjustable by means of an articulation in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 8(a) shows the cosmetic applicator, which includes a buffer element, a metal nest, a holder, and a rod along with a spherical ball stud. Fig. 8(b) is an assembled view of Fig. 8(a).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the drawings, like numerals indicate like elements throughout. Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. The following describes preferred embodiments of the present invention.

Adjusting a cosmetic applicator without any mechanisms

A cosmetic applicator has an applicator region, which can be adjusted to any desired angles off a longitudinal axis of a brush in any direction around an axis. The applicator region is joined at the end to an applicator stem by a ball-joint connection, where the user pivots the applicator region to a desired angle. Unlike conventional ball-joints, where a pivot angle about the axis is limited, the applicator's ball-joint is designed to have a greater range of angular adjustments.
The applicator region pivots at an angle of up to 90° around its axis in order for the user to apply composition while holding the applicator at its grip in an orientation that is more natural and ergonomic to the wrist of the user.
Figs. 1 and 2 show various components of a cosmetic applicator 1 with a preferred design. Fig. 1 shows that the applicator region 2 pivots at an angle of up to 90° around its axis 3 with an interval of 30°. However, this interval is not limited to these angles. The interval can be designed with any desired angles. In addition, Fig. 2 shows that an eye 4 of the cosmetic applicator has multiple slots 5 along petals 6 of the eye. These slots can be designed such that the applicator region pivots and positions stably at the desired interval (angles). For example, each of angles X, Y, and Z can be 30°, as shown in Fig. 1. However, these angles are not limited to 30°. In addition, the number of slots is not limited to three, as shown in Fig. 2. These slots can be made of any materials, such as rubber, and designed with any shapes, that can hold the applicator region stably and can be moved to the next slot easily by the user. The present invention, shows a ball stud and a stopper of the cosmetic applicator. Here, the stopper is used for the user to insert the applicator region (brush) easily into the mascara case by having the stopper be inserted into a hole. That is, the stopper A enables the user to have the handle and the brush (applicator region) arranged in a straight line, as shown in Fig. 4. In Fig. 4, the arrow shows the stopper formed on the ball stud, which is inserted to the hole. However, as an alternative, the hole is formed on the ball stud, and a protrusion (stopper) is formed inside the eye.
The magnetic force can be used to attract the stopper into the hole so that the user can easily straighten the handle and the brush, as shown in Fig. 5. In Fig. 5, a metallic material is inserted inside the ball stud (B), and a magnetic material is inserted inside the eye (C) or vice versa. Finally, a circular indentation/protrusion D can be formed around the ball stud in addition to the stopper, as shown in Fig. 6, so that the handle and the brush can be straightened easily by the user.
In the present invention, according to a preferred embodiment, the cosmetic applicator has a socket, which retains a ball-stud having a depth that is less than that of a hemisphere. A brim of walls of the semi-hemisphere rises up to (and supports) a neck of the applicator region, when the axis of the applicator region is perpendicular to that of the holder shaft.
To physically constrain the ball-stud within the socket, the cosmetic applicator has an upper portion, which resembles the shape of petals or leaves of a flower. These petals, having a radial symmetry around the axis, sit at the brim of the lower semi-hemisphere, giving the socket the shape of a hollow inner sphere. The edges of these petals guide the neck of the applicator region, when a pivot moment is applied, guiding a "stopper" of the ball-stud to follow along in channeled grooves along the inner walls of the socket.
The cosmetic applicator has five sectional "petals" protruding from the brim of the lower semi-hemisphere to retain the ball-stud within the socket. Five open sections allow the applicator region to pivot in a direction around the axis in 72° segments while being guided by the "petals" and the channeled pathways. This preferred method allows the user to adjust the applicator region to their discretion in any direction around the axis of the applicator without the concern of which correct orientation the applicator needs to be in prior to adjustments.
The cosmetic applicator has the ball-stud, which has the shape of a polygonal sphere and the socket taking shape that is consistent with it. Each face of the polygonal sphere fixes in position to the pivot angle (i.e., octagon will have angular adjustments in increments of 45°).
In order to hold the applicator region to each angular position about the longitudinal axis of the applicator, the ball-stud "stopper" works in conjunction with the cavities or ridges that are placed along the grooves of the inner walls of the socket. Ridges or cavities are placed in increments to fix the applicator region to each angle ranging from 0° (up-right) to 90° (bent) until a breakaway moment is applied by the user. Breakaway moment shall be no greater than the force applied by the simple "flick" of the user's wrist. This is because a great amount of holding force is unnecessary due to the nature what the applicator is used for, namely, mascara composition applied to the eyelashes.
In the present invention, according to a preferred embodiment, the cosmetic applicator has a dual ball-joint movement, which works independently to each other and each with its own limitations. A connector arm with ball- studs at each end is a connecting point of the applicator region to the holder shaft. The holder shaft is similar to above embodiments with a grip and socket opposite to the end of grip. The holder shaft socket has a cavity, whose depth is greater than that of a hemisphere. The socket seats the ball-stud (lower joint) within its cavity and constrains the ball-stud within its pocket. Limitations of cone axis (pivot angle off longitudinal axis of applicator) of each ball joint may have a difference, but the combined pivot angle of applicator region to holder shaft shall be no greater nor less than perpendicular (90°).
Second ball-joint (upper joint) at the opposite end to holder shaft ball-joint has a size and/or shape that may differ. Ball-joint attaches to socket of applicator region, in which applicator region has a means of securing to the socket. Socket has a depth, which is greater to that of a hemisphere and constrains the ball-stud within its cavity.
Similar to the above embodiments, the ball-studs at each end of the connector arm has a "stopper" or protrusion that functions to hold the position of the ball stud until a breakaway moment is applied. However, a guide is not necessary, as the ball-joint has more degrees of freedom in each plane when compared with the previous embodiments. The "stopper" of each ball-stud fits in one of the many dimples or cavities arranged along the walls of the each respective socket. Dimples are arranged to have radial symmetry around the axis of the socket, providing the joint with a diverse set of holding positions.
For an adjustable brush fixed to the end of a cosmetic wand where the user makes adjustments using the container, the brush can be plastic injected, nylon twist, or mono/bi- injection molded.
The mascara brush consists of a brush shaft, a ball stud or "sphere," a shaft anchor, a holder assembly (shaft), and a seal. The brush shaft is fixed to the ball stud using the shaft anchor. The shaft anchor may or may not be used. There are other ways of fixing the brush shaft onto the ball stud. For the brush shaft or brush, the brush may be injection molded or nylon twist or molded twist. The brush shaft may be a twisted metal core or polymer shaft. The brush shaft has projections encompassing the core (bristles) of nylon or polymer.
In the present invention, according to a preferred embodiment, the ball stud or "sphere" is connected to the holder shaft via ball- joint. The ball stud may or may not be a sphere, as it may take form of other shapes as well. The ball stud has protrusion(s) or "stopper" at the opposite end to where the brush shaft securely fits to. The stopper works in conjunction with grooved pathway and cavities along the wall of joint- socket or "eye".
In the present invention, according to a preferred embodiment, the holder shaft may or may not be an assembly. It takes in form of a mascara applicator, which includes a grip and a shaft that extends from the grip. A socket or "eye" at the end of shaft attached to the grip allows the ball stud to be securely pocketed and allows for a smooth transition of adjustments.
In the present invention, the "eye" acts as a socket for the ball stud to fit securely into and allows adjustments to be made in any direction similar in functionality to a ball-joint. Unlike ball-joints that are limited in their range of adjustments, the "eye" and ball stud connection allows movements to be made in a greater range of adjustments in all directions around the axis.
The "eye" may or may not be a part to the assembly to the holder shaft (assembly). The "eye" may be made of polymer, metal, and etc. The "eye" may have a shape that is consistent to the shape of ball stud and fit the ball stud securely to the holder (assembly). The "eye" has sides or curves consistent with that of ball stud, (i.e., a spherical ball stud has an "eye" of a hollow sphere.) The size of ball stud to size of the interior walls of the "eye" may or may not be of similar sizes; there may be a slight offset, (i.e., a radius of ball stud to radius of inner walls of socket may have offset.)
In the present invention, the "eye" socket may have walls of different thicknesses covering the ball stud at different heights around the ball. The "eye" socket may fully or partially encompass the radius of ball and at different thicknesses. The "eye's" inner radius may have an offset in accordance with radius of spherical ball stud. This allows for tolerance and fitting of seal. The "eye" has "petals" that reach over the seated ball-stud to constrain the ball- stud within the socket and has edges, which guide the "neck" of the brush stem during adjustments.
In the present invention, according to a preferred embodiment, the "eye" has channeled pathways molded or cut into the inner concavity of the "eye". These channels, in conjunction with the "petal" edges, provide a guide for the "stopper" during transition, allowing the user to smoothly adjust the angle. Grooves also have smaller cavities or pockets that fixate the pivot angle of the brush at any longitudinal direction. There may be multiple set of cavities for each direction.
The "eye" may or may not have channeled pathways, but has a method to allow smooth pivotal transitions of the brush similar to a ball-joint and will not have any angular limitations or restrictions.
The "eye" houses the ball stud and secures it either by securing the ball stud within its cavity as a socket or by magnets (magnetic force), brackets, or grooves.
The "eye" has a method to fix brush angle at user discretion in all set or in all directions and in set or in all angles. In addition, the "eye" may have thin walls with wedged sections encircling the brim of the hollow half sphere that concave inwards to form a hollow sphere socket. Wedges function to retain the ball stud within the cavity when in motion.
The "eye" may have slots along the wall of the socket to allow the brush to be angled up to (but not limited to) 90°. In addition, the "eye" may or may not have a seal made of rubber, silicone, plastic, and etc.
Fig. 7(a) is a cross-sectional view of a cosmetic applicator, which includes a buffer element 8, a holder 9, and a rod (also called stem or shaft) 10 along with a spherical ball stud 7. Fig. 7(b) is an assembled view of Fig. 7(a). The buffer element 8 works as a buffering structure between an applicator region 2 (which is connected to the spherical ball stud 7) and an eye 4/the holder 9/the rod 10 so that the applicator region 2 can be stably positioned at a desired angle by the user. This buffer element 8 may fill any spaces between the applicator region 2 and the eye 4/the holder 9/the rod 10 and may be capable of creating a frictional force (inside the holder shaft) between those structures so that the applicator region 2 can be stably positioned at any desired angles by the user. The buffer element 8 is in contact with the spherical ball stud 7, the eye 4, the holder 9, and the rod 10. This buffer element 8 is disposed directly under the spherical ball stud 7 in a longitudinal axis of the cosmetic applicator. However, the buffer element 8 can be disposed in any locations surrounding the spherical ball stud 7. In addition, this buffer element 8 enables the applicator region 2 to be in a straight line along a longitudinal axis of the cosmetic applicator with the handle easily.
Fig. 8(a) is a cross-sectional view of a cosmetic applicator, which includes a buffer element 8', a metal nest 11, a holder 9', and a rod (also called stem or shaft) 10' along with a spherical ball stud 7'. Fig. 8(b) is an assembled view of Fig. 8(a). The main difference between Fig. 7(a) and Fig. 8(a) is the presence of the metal nest 11. Similarly, the buffer element 8' works as a buffering structure between an applicator region 2' (which is connected to the spherical ball stud 7') and an eye 4/the holder 97the rod IOVthe metal nest 11 so that the applicator region 2' can be stably positioned at a desired angle by the user. This buffer element 8' may fill any spaces between the applicator region 2' and the eye 4/the holder 9'/the rod 10'/the metal nest 11 and may be capable of creating a frictional force (inside the holder shaft) between those structures so that the applicator region 2' can be stably positioned at any desired angles by the user. The buffer element 8' is in contact with the spherical ball stud 7' (indirectly), the eye 4, the holder 9', the rod 10', and the metal nest 11. The metal nest 11 is disposed inside of the holder 9' with respect to a radial direction of the cosmetic applicator and surrounds the buffer element 8' so that the buffer element 8's does not contact directly with the spherical ball stud 7'. This buffer element 8' is disposed under the spherical ball stud 7' in a longitudinal axis of the cosmetic applicator. The buffer element 8' is disposed (sandwiched) between the metal nest 11 and the rod 10' . However, the buffer element 8' can be disposed in any locations surrounding the spherical ball stud 7'. In addition, this buffer element 8' enables the applicator region 2' to be in a straight line along a longitudinal axis of the cosmetic applicator with the handle easily.
The number of the buffer element can be one or more. The design of the buffer element is not limited as shown in Figs. 7(a)/(b) and 8(a)/(b). It is preferred that the shape of the buffering element is an O-ring. However, its design is not limited to an O-ring shape. The buffer element is made of any materials. It is preferred that the material of the buffer element is rubber. However, its material is not limited to rubber.
It is noted that the cosmetic applicator shown in Fig. 3 may be the same cosmetic applicators shown in Figs. 4-8 or may not be the same cosmetic applicators shown in Figs. 4-8.

Adjusting a cosmetic applicator with any mechanisms

A cosmetic applicator has an applicator region, which can be adjusted to any desired angle off a longitudinal axis of a brush in any direction around an axis with mechanisms.
In the present invention, according to a preferred embodiment, the user pushes button situated at the end of the holder to retract a locking pin on top, holding the brush position in place. Once button is depressed, the locking pin retracts into the holder stem, allowing the use to apply moment to the brush to a desired angle.
In the present invention, according to a preferred embodiment, the user pulls the knob situated at the bottom end of the holder, which in turn retracts the locking pin into the holder stem. Once locking pin is retracted, a moment force may be applied by the user to adjust the brush position to a desired angle.
In the present invention, according to a preferred embodiment, the user twists the knob situated at the end of the holder to retract the locking pin into the holder stem. Once locking pin is retracted releasing the angular position of the brush, the user may apply a moment force to the brush to adjust the position to a new desired angle.
Accordingly, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It should therefore be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is intended to include all changes and modifications that are within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Advantageous effect of the present invention

The present invention shows various example of a cosmetic applicator, which is adjustable by means of an articulation, described in the present invention.
The advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing specification.
For example, the users can apply mascara in an orientation that is more ergonomic at their desired angles with or without any mechanisms. The users also can use the entire surface of brush (360°) when applying the mascara. The users' arm does not have to be raised her shoulder's height to make the brush located in parallel with her eyelashes, causing her make-up operation to be performed in a very stable posture and resulting in excellent make-up at her desired facial locations. After the users are finished with applying the mascara, the users can easily insert the brush into the mascara case.
Furthermore, the present invention shows a cosmetic applicator, which is not only adjustable by means of an articulation, but also is capable of stably positioning at a desired angle by the user by using a buffer element. This buffer element works as a buffering structure between an applicator region and an eye/a holder/a rod so that the applicator region can be stably positioned at a desired angle by the user. In addition, this buffer element enables the applicator region to be in a straight line with the handle easily. In other words, unlike the conventional mascaras, the present invention shows a cosmetic applicator (so called "Magic Mascara"), which is capable of moving the applicator region smoothly and robustly at various desired angles by the user. That is, the present invention shows a cosmetic applicator, which improves the mobility of the applicator region of the conventional (bendable) mascaras drastically.
The cosmetic applicator is not limited to mascara. The cosmetic applicator of the present invention can be extended to eyeliner, blusher, eyeshadow, lip gloss, and etc.

Claims

A cosmetic applicator (1) comprising:
a grip;

a holder shaft (10, 10') that extends from the grip, the holder shaft (10, 10') comprising a longitudinal axis;

an applicator region (2, 2'), one end of the applicator region (2, 2') being connected to a ball stud (7, 7'); and

a buffer element (8, 8') that is disposed inside the holder shaft (10, 10') and is in contact with one end of the ball stud (7, 7'),

wherein the applicator region (2, 2') is adapted to pivot at a desired angle of up to 90° off the longitudinal axis,

wherein the ball stud (7, 7') is connected to the holder shaft (10, 10'),

wherein the holder shaft (10, 10') comprises an eye (4) which acts as a socket for the ball stud (7, 7') to fit securely into,

wherein the applicator region (2, 2') is further adapted to be adjusted in any direction or at least a plurality of directions around the longitudinal axis, and

wherein the eye (4) of the holder shaft (10, 10'), which acts as the socket for the ball stud (7, 7'), allows adjustments to be made in any direction or in said plural directions, and

characterized in that

the ball stud (7, 7') has a stopper, a protrusion or a hole at its bottom portion, the stopper or protrusion adapted to work in conjunction with cavities or ridges that are placed along grooves of inner walls of an socket of the holder shaft (10, 10') and the hole adapted to work in conjunction with stoppers or protrusions that are placed along grooves of inner walls of the socket of the holder shaft (10, 10').
The cosmetic applicator (1) according to claim 1, wherein the applicator region (2, 2') further comprising:
a brush shaft,

wherein the brush shaft is fixed to the ball stud (7, 7').
The cosmetic applicator (1) according to claim 1, wherein the eye (4) comprises a plurality of petals that constrain the ball stud (7, 7') within the socket.
The cosmetic applicator (1) according to claim 1, wherein the eye (4) comprises a plurality of channeled pathways molded or cut into an inner cavity of the eye (4).
The cosmetic applicator (1) according to claim 1, wherein the eye (4) houses the ball stud (7. 7') and secures the ball stud (7, 7') by magnets, brackets, or grooves.
The cosmetic applicator (1) according to claim 1, wherein the ball stud (7, 7') is connected to the holder shaft (10, 10') via a dual ball-joint connection, which works independently to each other and each with its own limitations.
The cosmetic applicator (1) according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of petals guide the applicator region (2, 2') to pivot in plural directions around the axis.
The cosmetic applicator (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cavities or the ridges are placed in increments to fix the applicator region (2, 2') to each angle ranging from 0° to 90° until a breakaway moment is applied by the user.
The cosmetic applicator (1) according to claim 8, wherein the breakaway moment is no greater than force applied by a simple flick of the user's wrist.
The cosmetic applicator (1) according to claim 3, wherein the eye (4) comprises a plurality of slots along each of the plurality of petals, and the plurality of slots secure the applicator region (2, 2').
The cosmetic applicator (1) according to claim 1, wherein a circular indentation or protrusion is formed around the ball stud (7, 7') in addition to the stopper.
The cosmetic applicator (1) according to claim 1, wherein the buffer element (8, 8') is configured to stably position the applicator region (2, 2') at the desired angle.
The cosmetic applicator (1) according to claim 1, wherein the buffer element (8, 8') is an O-ring and/or wherein the buffer element (8, 8') is made of rubber.